I prefer New Taipei City to Taipei City, specifically Sanxia. It’s newer, has real honest to goodness sidewalks with no scooters on them. Fantastic parks and open university grounds. Quiet and has fantastic views. About a half hour drive to Nangang. The new MRT line will be finished in a few years, they’ve already started it. Sanxia has a distinct western feel to how the city was planned out. The homes are modern and affordable and new businesses are opening up every day. Jason’s Supermarket just opened a street level store. First time I’ve seen one that wasn’t in a department store. Sanxia has a big Carrefour, Hola and B and Q. It has the old street on the other side too. A movie theater is also being built.

Maybe, if you like the western feel, give it a shot.

Sanxia is split into two, Old Sanxia and New Sanxia. Here are two pictures of the old area and new area. See? Sidewalks!!!

If you work in Nangang, you might also consider living in Neihu. The brown line runs from Neihu to Nangang exhibition center MRT, but you would need to live close to the MRT station for it to be feasible.

Nangang is close to work, but somewhat out of the way when you go out for some drinks or want to go to a more western restaurant.

If you want green, I would highly suggest Neihu. Especially the stretch between Bihu and Dahu areas. It might be a 10-15 minute walk to the MRT stations if you live farther out from the MRT, but it’ll definitely be much more comfortable neighborhood to live in.

I was looking at apartments near the Qingbai Park 清白公園 near Neihu MRT and that place is pretty nice. You won’t have to worry about too much congestion on the weekends since the roads there are wide and some even double yellow line two way traffic.

I will mention one thing about commuting via MRT on the Wenhu/brown line. It gets heavily congested since the compartments are the smallest and the line does cover a pretty long route! Nonetheless, if you were commuting from Neihu/Dahu down to Nangang Software park, it doesn’t get that crazy since most people would be headed towards Gangqian and Xihu since that’s where Neihu Software Park is.

You’d need to drive or get a bus. I’m sure there are direct buses but not always ideal.
I like Sanxia and could easily imagine living there and working in Nangang but it’s not for a temporary resident new to the island who isn’t going to drive .